run in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of run innext
1
as in to visit
to make a brief visit I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

run-in

2 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin How to pronounce run-in (audio)
as in encounter
a brief clash between enemies or rivals the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of run in
Verb
Power negotiations, environmental review, community engagement and zoning decisions must run in parallel, and each thread affects the others. — Balaji Sreenivasan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The most recent, a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, was spearheaded by a double from Mora, who capped his six-year run in Portland in storybook fashion. — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Noun
The Indianapolis Star reported that court records showed Adongo had run-ins with the law during and after his time with the Colts and was at times found incompetent to stand trial. — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 26 July 2026 Wary of Martinez and Carapaz’s sprint, Pogačar tried to shake them twice in the closing kilometres, knowing the final run-in was flat. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for run in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run in
  1. visit
  2. arrest
  3. encounter
  4. come over
  5. seize
  6. step in
  7. grab
  8. come by
Verb
  • Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Louisville's role as bourbon's home base keeps growing When visiting bourbon country, Louisville is typically a go-to jumping off point.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • The teen’s remains were found in September in the trunk of a Tesla that belongs to the singer, and D4vd was arrested in April.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026
  • Her government has cracked down on fuel theft and arrested dozens of current and former local officials – including some from Morena – accused of colluding with crime groups.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • Private cultural experiences, exclusive access, seasonal culinary events, and authentic local encounters become easier to arrange, allowing travelers to experience destinations in ways that feel both effortless and deeply personal.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
  • During one particularly violent encounter in June 2024, China Coast Guard personnel brandished axes at Philippine troops and slashed their rubber boats.
    — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • The report said the number of requests had more than doubled from 3,656 in 2020 to 8,123 in 2025, with the largest surge coming over the last two years.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • The Celtics are still the Celtics, with a healthy Jayson Tatum, a likely better-shooting version of Derrick White and Mitchell Robinson coming over from the Knicks.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of come over
Verb
  • Now protesters are using that same platform to mock his administration, ridicule pro-government television news coverage, transform confrontation with police into viral content and seize control of the online narrative.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Investigators also seized boxes that had been resealed and were ready to ship, packages containing modeling clay instead of fragrance products, additional modeling clay, a heat gun, glue and packaging materials, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Like many of the club’s acquisitions, Straus’ had been lauded as a definitive step in the right direction for a team that has largely underperformed.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The update, announced on July 20, marks an important step in the development of the power and propulsion system for the future combat aircraft being jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
Definition of step in
Verb
  • Photos appear to show one such altercation, with a fan attempting to grab Preston from the sideline.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • And once the stars are out, the fire pits come to life, where kids of all ages can enjoy s’mores by grabbing a kit from the front desk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The latest announcement comes by way of a manual fix, deep joy, for the sync delay issues that have impacted users of both client and server platforms.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Viewers were then taken outside the theater at street level to see Benny come by to sniff the globe as the show’s theme song played in the background.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
Definition of come by

Browse Nearby Words

rung up
run in
run-in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20in. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of sultry

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All